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Spaceflight and Development of Immune ResponsesEvidence from both human and rodent studies has indicated that alterations in immunological parameters occur after space flight. The number of flight experiments has been small, and the full breadth of immunological alterations occurring after space flight remains to be established. Among the major effects on immune responses after space flight that have been reported are: alterations in lymphocyte blastogenesis and natural killer cell activity, alterations in production of cytokines, changes in leukocyte sub-population distribution, and decreases in the ability of bone marrow cells to respond to colony stimulating factors. Changes have been reported in immunological parameters of both humans and rodents. The significance of these alterations in relation to resistance to infection remains to be established. The objective of the studies contained in this project was to determine the effects of space flight on immune responses of pregnant rats and their offspring. The hypothesis was that space flight and the attendant period of microgravity will result in alteration of immunological parameters of both the pregnant rats as well as their offspring carried in utero during the flight. The parameters tested included: production of cytokines, composition of leukocyte sub- populations, response of bone marrow/liver cells to granulocyte/monocyte colony stimulating factor, and leukocyte blastogenesis. Changes in immune responses that could yield alterations in resistance to infection were determined. This yielded useful information for planning studies that could contribute to crew health. Additional information that could eventually prove useful to determine the potential for establishment of a permanent colony in space was obtained.
Document ID
19970005474
Acquisition Source
Ames Research Center
Document Type
Contractor Report (CR)
Authors
Sonnenfeld, Gerald
(Carolinas Medical Center Charlotte, NC United States)
Date Acquired
September 6, 2013
Publication Date
November 1, 1996
Subject Category
Aerospace Medicine
Report/Patent Number
NAS 1.26:202602
NASA-CR-202602
Accession Number
97N13330
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NCC2-859
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
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